Interactions Among Male Phenotypes in a Phenotypically reversible cichlid

A Third Distinct Behavioral Phenotype: Territorially Transitional MaleAstatotilapia burtoni?"Someone once told me the grass was much greener on the other sideI paid a visit (now it's possible I missed it)It seemed different yet exactly the sameSo till further notice (till further notice)I'm in-between (I'm in-between)"- Opening Theme, As Told By Ginger

The African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni represents a valuable model system for behavioral research and neuroscience due to their elaborate socially mediated phenotypic plasticity shaping brain and behavior. In this species, males reversibly transition in social status from reproductively dominant and territorial (T) to non-reproductive and non-territorial (NT) as they traditionally are categorized into two phenotype groups by global or focal observational scoring.

Research on many aspects of life history (including reproduction, stress response and social ecology) has been based on this two-group categorization describing striking differences between Ts and NTs at the behavioral, physiological and molecular levels.

Our research suggests yet a third male phenotype distinct from Ts or NTs, based on focal observations and prior records in the literature. Specifically, the frequency with which individuals engage in intrasexual conflict displays and the variety of conflict behaviors vary in a nonlinear way among these three male types, with third-type males characterized by highest conflict frequency and greatest range of behavioral responses to conflict. We present a method of characterizing a third male type which may correspond to territorially transitional (ascending/descending) males by noninvasive behavioral observations rather than highly invasive analysis of gonadal development.

Research was carried out in the Preuss Lab at Hunter College, City University of New York.

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